“Hey!” I laugh when he doesn’t stop.
Mase lifts his head and grins lopsidedly, his eyes struggling to focus on mine. God, he’s so drunk.
I loop an arm around his waist. “You sleeping with me, big guy?” I tilt my head up.
“Noooo,” Mase shakes his head, adamantly, “we’re alllllll sleeping with you, Angel.” He’s so freaking cute when he boops my nose, playfully.
I ask him what he means and he just repeats it. Does he mean…!?
It seems to click in his brain that I have no clue what he’s talking about because he stumbles towards the living room, taking me with him.
The guys all look up from mattresses spread out in a line across the living room. The couches and the TV have been pressed to corners to make room.
“What’s going on?” I gaze around the room, locking eyes on Jace.
“Sleepover, Ro.” He grins in a devil-may-care sort of way.
I can’t help the excitement that bubbles up in me, seeing all the guys sprawled out on mattresses waiting for me.
Mase nudges me forward. Having already changed into a singlet and long pyjama pants, I tug my stolen hoodie back over my head. The guys are like furnaces to sleep with so I don’t want to be wearing a jumper, no matter how soft and how good it smells because I’ll wake up melting.
Maverick, already half asleep on my mattress, pulls me between him and Jace.
Luc grumbles, situating himself on Jace’s other side. Grabbing my hand, Luc rests our interlocked fingers on Jace’s chest, mine facing down on Jace.
Mase flops down beside his brother, leaning over to kiss my forehead before almost immediately falling asleep.
Alec and Dominic are closest to the door.
“Night everyone.” Alec says, ignoring Dom beside him and rolls over to face the door. I see the pain that lingers on Dom’s face before he slowly turns to face me. He smiles sadly at me. I hate seeing them like this. I blow him a kiss and he sleepily raises his hand in return.
Jace’s arm around my shoulders keeps me snug against him and Mav throws an arm over my waist. Mav grumbles about being touched by Jace’s hand’s near my head but the whining stops when I raise a hand to play with his hair.
“Tempest!” Luc pouts from the other side of Jace.
“You get cuddle privileges tomorrow.” I squeeze Luci’s hand. His grip tightens briefly before loosening.
I close my eyes, feeling drowsy and ready to embrace the darkness as the lights are extinguished.
Maverick raises his head, suddenly. I look up at him through half-lidded, sleepy eyes. The moonlight spills in from the kitchen, allowing me to see his breathtakingly handsome features.
He’s watching me with a soft smile—full of emotion.
He cups my face, leaning in to capture my mouth. I lean up from Jace, my eyes fluttering close. Maverick keeps our kiss unhurried and gentle. I see the love in his eyes when he slowly pulls away.
“Happy birthday, baby,” he murmurs quietly.
“Thank you, Maverick.” I stroke his face with my free hand, gazing up at him, sleepily.
He lays back down, his hand sliding up under my shirt to rest on my waist. His movement is careful of my ribs, never causing me more than a phantom of pain as he makes sure we’re both comfortable.
Jace pulls the blankets up and over us.
I turn my face into J—my eyes finally closing and this time, they are not opening. His arm tightens around my shoulders as he kisses my temple.
“Love you crazy, Ro.” J whispers, emotion lacing his voice.
“Love you wild, J. Night, everyone!” I raise my voice. All I hear back is silence. And snoring.
